Timbo58

I think the whole 'the scene will die unless we allow it to....... progress/diversify/water itself down/sell its soul/cheapen itself or become less authentic/true to its roots' (choose your own preferred interpretation) argument is hugely overblown and frankly I only care about my experience of it, not someone who might decide to join in if its adapted to their own lifestyle in the future. That might be an unfashionable thing to say, but I never made it to Wigan/Torch/Wheel etc - I started off as a 'Johnny come lately' in the early 80's, we were tolerated by the older established lot precisely because we respected that authenticity is absolutely ALL in rare soul, respect for dancers, DJs and everyone else based on a shared passion for the music. FWIW the totally OTT claims on Facebook etc in the marketing of this record 'number 1 for xmas' etc etc etc were laughable, sorry but they were, It's, at best, a passable rendition of a song, lets not over egg it.

Anything that takes away authenticity in soul music itself (or even events that play it for that matter) makes it by definition inauthentic and therefore (to my mind at least) a pastiche of what true rare soul should be -it becomes an insult to the artists and those who actually know what 'the faith' actually means. AI is about as far away from 'real' as it can possibly be. So let's leave its products to the venues with their glitter balls, disco lasers & local yokels jigging about with drinks, you know -the ones that social media repeatedly tells us are 'the soul scene'. 🙂

TBF we use these for DJing regularly, but we always stop rotation to cue in of course. I can see they'd be no use for mixing/scratching as they are far too grippy.

Having had crimynal slipmats (great quality, accurate printing & fair price) in the past, the only thing I find wrong with that type of slipmat is they can be too 'smooth' and allow discs to slip if you don't use a clamp. Also being a bit too much of a perfectionist for sound quality I did read a few articles which claimed the absolute best mats for protection against slip and sound quality/protection of the vinyl were actually the thick rubber mats that Technics come with originally. So I now use them.

Personally I've always felt that if a DJ clears the floor that's perfectly OK initially, but to keep it clear record after record for an entire set is almost certainly the promotors fault in booking a completely unsuitable guest (or resident!). I'm not a fan of 'the dancefloor dictates' or 'look at us -we've sold all the tickets!' type events as the vast majority are simply catering to the least fussy audience. That's perfectly fine if your idea of 'success' is measured in £££s of course. As for advertising events truthfully & clearly -I'm absolutely in favour of that, but all too often the ones that promise they're 'keeping the faith' wouldn't know what 'the faith' was even if it came with a colouring in set & crayons.

Yes, I think thats one.

Is there anyone who has actually released a previously unreleased VINYL track(s), as in an individual person or a soul club/events organiser? NOT a record company or business, just an individual fan/club of fans. i.e. Where the disc is actually genuinely licensed and regarded as original vinyl, not some random carver/boot or re-hash of a previously recorded track, or a compilation of re-issues. The only one I can think of off the top of my head is the 'Soul in the sun' Tommy Hunt disc on 'Loughborough soul club'.

As far as I am aware in simple terms you need 2 separate things to make any release legit : 1. The MCPS mechanical license 2. The permission from the present owner of the recorded work(s). If you don't have both then it's not legally anything -issued/reissued, it is a BOOT. Just as I'm an inquisitive sort I've checked the MCPS database and yes, it has been applied for, but is noted as 'unnotified' which means it isn't currently registered on the PRS database for who gets royalties. As for the original works owners it'll be who ever now owns the rights to united records.

There's a lot of truth in that Sarge. I genuinely envy those who really don't care about the music format/policy, the facilities (no dance floor etc), and think they have it all - often local events round the corner and no travelling involved unless it's once a year to 'insert major mainstream event here', they can enjoy themselves and have a party with like minded souls anywhere at any time. It's not for me, although I see the appeal -for people our age it's a safe space of familiar music with (usually) people the same age, often in a social club where bar prices are low enough to make it worth going out.

Personally 2 & 3 for us, and if we start to get jaded by hearing 'the same old' we simply start going further afield.

Condolences for your wife Al. It's a fractious topic but I'll tread carefully, as we all have our own preferences & prejudices. The rare/Northern scene nowadays (perhaps always?) is split into varying degrees from strict original vinyl only right down to digital formats at the opposite ends. I'd guess 'the circuit' you were on is still there, although it has become much smaller since it's now very fashionable to do the retro thing and boast about being 'vinyl only', possibly to differentiate themselves from the digital offering or because it's what a lot of returning soul fans have grown up with and are familiar with. On the point of carvers & other bootlegs - its probably a fact that 90% of the audience either don't care or don't know it isn't 'legit'. Some promotors & punters alike will give leeway to big name DJs for playing all sorts of dodgy stuff, some won't. I'd say if you want to put events on then go for it, there's an audience for anything and it's undeniable that NS is the new 'thing' with pubs & clubs tripping over themselves to host events to sell their beer. There is an audience for every type of offering, one might argue that the less 'strict' it is in terms of music format, dancefloor etiquette etc the more accessible it is for newbies/day trippers and the casual music fan. It's the same as all marketing - target the right audience & good luck.

It's pretty simple IMHO, enjoy yourself, respect others. Respecting others is easy enough -don't drink on the dancefloor, don't chuck talc about and try to respect others dance space, ignore the few events where you don't very clearly see that sort of respect immediately. I'm on the fence with dance classes, the best seem to simply help to boost confidence and show how specific moves can be done, which isn't a bad thing, but some seem to be 'cashing in' which is never a good thing IMHO. As for where to see decent dancers -any established proper allnighter or if you can't stretch to those, then any established local event with a decent promotor will usually have a smattering of decent dancers and you'll be able quickly to pick up good habits there also. TBF the scene is a great deal bigger than just dancers -and I'd far rather see someone lost in the music and oblivious to anything else than someone who has all the moves but nothing alight in themselves. As for older people being 'protectionist' -it can feel like that, but very few saying it are doing so malevolently. Most of the comments are as a result the more embarrassing pastiches that seem to crop up when a previously largely underground scene starts to attract newcomers and it & they then see this sort of behaviour and think it's ok or even desirable to repeat it, its happened on the Mod scene & the scooter scene in the last 10-20 years also, and is generally not younger people at all -but an influx of the middle aged looking for events they can dress up & attend trying to fit in, which is quite clearly not what 90% then do -ie fit in. The best way to see the real soul scene is TRAVEL, very few of us are lucky to have a 1st rate allnighter on their doorstep, so travelling and going to various events will very quickly show you the etiquette and plenty of top class people -dancers. collectors, DJs and all round good eggs.

In a separate room, yes. Not otherwise. Just my personal preference anyway.

Great post & interesting topic Amy. I am convinced that in all passionate collecting especially there is 'a spectrum' certainly.

Personally I've always loved Rome, and the Roma soul city guys have a great alldayer & their legendary allnighters now for many years. A weekender would be perfect, but I doubt affordable to be fair. If I won the lotto -they'd get one, for sure. 🙂 The big thing for all weekenders is VENUE. Many destinations simply don't seem to have places with a decent wood floor, this may be climate, insects or just culture, but it's non starter for many without a decent floor.